Wave height is affected by wind speed, wind duration (or how long the wind blows), and fetch, which is the distance over water that the wind blows in a single direction. If wind speed is slow, only small waves result, regardless of wind duration or fetch.
Waves form as the wind's energy is transferred to the surface of water. A weak gusty wind can make ripples appear on smooth water. ... The duration of the winds. The longer the wind blows over the open water, the larger the waves.
